Lifeguarding Tournament: Sea Girt takes first in Monmouth County event

BRADLEY BEACH — There are many reasons why team Monmouth County always seem to finish in the top two or three when the National Lifeguard Tournament rolls around every August.

One of the contributing factors to such good showings in nationals was on full display on Wednesday night, in the First Annual Monmouth County All-Women's Lifeguard Tournament.

Seven all-female crews from Bradley Beach, Spring Lake, Asbury Park, Avon, Sea Girt, Monmouth County Park Systems, and Ocean Grove showed just why the women of Monmouth County are such a big part of the continued success in nationals.

"Monmouth County is usually second or third in nationals only behind California, and this tournament is only going to help strengthen the team," Spring Lake chief Janet Carbin said.

"All of these girls competing here tonight are a big part of that, I'm beyond excited that we were able to have this tournament."

The Sea Girt women took first place in five of the six events that were held on Wednesday night, some of which included the Paddle Board Relay, Medley Relay, and the Line Pull. Sea Girt was close to the sweep but it was Spring Lake's Kristen Ditommaso who took first in the Beach Flags competition, which was the final, and arguably most exciting event of the night.

For those who aren't familiar with Beach Flags, it's essentially a race between the seven guards who each try and get one of the six batons on the beach. While lying face down looking the opposite direction, each of the guards must pop up and try and grab one of the batons which are located several yards down the beach.

Similar to musical chairs, there is one less baton for each round of the event, and Ditommaso was able to track down the last baton.

"Everyone was so fast in that event," Ditommaso said.

"It was the first time that I have ever competed in beach flags, so it was kind of cool to be able to win it."

Along with everyone who competed in the tournament, Ditommaso was thrilled that she was able to compete against the other women of Monmouth County.

"It's awesome, there aren't that many events for us to compete in during the guys tournaments," Ditommaso said.

"To be able to have a local tournament like this with just our beaches here is really cool."

Carbin was quick to thank all of the other male chiefs who were able to make this tournament happen. Bradley Beach chief Dick Johnson was kind enough to host the tournament on his beach this year, and at the end of the tournament several of the guards met in the middle of the beach to celebrate the tournament.

"The girls in Monmouth County are very connected," Carbin said.

"Our female guards here are strong, and the fact that they are very connected helps them grow."

The chiefs who helped put this tournaments together hope that it continues to grow in the upcoming summers. As much as it's an opportunity for the female guards to showcase their talents, it's also something that will only benefit the safety of the beaches in Monmouth County.

It was Monmouth County Park Systems chief Spike Fowler who may have put it the best as the tournament came to a close.

"They are lifeguards first and women second, and they always do a spectacular job out there."